48 



COYPU RAT. 



Mas Coypus. M. cauda mediocri subcompressa pilosa, plantis 



palmatis. Lin. Syst.Naf. Gmel. p. 12^, 

 Brown Rat, with slightly compressed hairy tail of middling 



length, and webbed hind feet. 

 Mus Coypus. Molina Hist. Chil. p. 2^5. 

 Coypu Rat. Fennant Quadr. 2, p. i"]"] . 



The first describer of this animal was Molina, 

 who informs us that it is an inhabitant of the 

 waters of Chili ; that it has the general appear- 

 ance of an Otter, being of the same size and co- 

 lour; but that in its teeth it agrees with the rat 

 tribe : the feet are each furnished with five toes ; 

 those of the hind feet being connected by a web : 

 the ears are rounded, the nose longish and covered 

 with whiskers, and the tail thick and flattish on 

 the sides. This animal lives occasionally on land 

 as well as water ; sometimes frequenting houses,, 

 and is easily tamed. The female produces five 

 or six young at a birth. 



